Ireland secure Pakistan fixtures

Ireland have secured more valuable game-time against Full Member opposition, confirming a two-match one-day series against Pakistan in May as part of the visitors' preparations for the Champions Trophy.

The matches will rekindle memories of one of Ireland's most famous days on the international stage when they beat Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup in Jamaica. The sides have met twice since then at the ODI level with Pakistan winning both matches during a short trip in 2011. These latest games will be played on May 23 and 26, with the venues still to be confirmed, during a week-long stay for Pakistan in Ireland.

The matches add to an increasing fixture list for Ireland, which includes a one-day international against England and a tour by Australia A. There are also plans in place to play a series against Bangladesh. Ireland have benefited from extra funding from the ICC that is enabling them to attract more high-level opposition, which is a key part of their long-term plan.

Phil Simmons, the Ireland coach, said: "It's fantastic news for Irish cricket, and we're grateful to both ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board for making the series possible. The extra funding we've secured through TAPP ensures we're able to organise additional matches against Full Members.

"Pakistan are a formidable one-day side and it's a great way of measuring where we are as a team. We've had some wonderful tussles with them in the past, and for many, Irish cricket was born the day we beat them in the 2007 World Cup. That win grabbed the attention of the world and we haven't looked back since."

Last week, Pakistan were also confirmed as playing Scotland in two one-day internationals in the build-up to the Champions Trophy.

thats very great. some negitive coments like it will not help pak or if pak lost. or its just for ranking .. i think its good and pak can practise for CT. Plus it will benefit ireland. Icc should not only help by giving cash to small teams but also should get bigger teams to play small teams. during ipl window many big teams can get 6/7 first choice players & play small teams. Pakitan have none in ipl & england hasnt got much. defeat is part of game but need to promote cricket more. its been ages a full member came in .

khurramsch
on January 23, 2013, 17:54 GMT

@fast track bully: mate do you know anything about rankings? when you play smaller teams you may not get much point to improve ranking.

Always_pakistan
on January 23, 2013, 17:27 GMT

Wel said haris abbasi good going

dummy4fb
on January 22, 2013, 8:37 GMT

@ fast track bully
Pakistan may be isolated AT HOME definitely and there is very little we can do about it at the moment from a cricketing point of view But we are making the most of any series against top sides we get even with all the problems we have faced. We drew against australia and south africa, won against england , sri lanka, new zealand in the past 2-3 years.We have also vindicated ourselves in ICC LOI competitions as well and performed admirably considering our problems. In addition we have also faced minnows like india , bangladesh and zimbabwe and thrashed them convincingly as well. So we are doing alright. Your and other likeminded indians concerns are appreciated but really not needed. :)
P.S. We do have an away series against the saffers next week and also have test series against South Africa, west indies, sri lanka and australia coming up in the next 18 months

tvumpire.com
on January 22, 2013, 6:44 GMT

Funny to see Pakistan trying to improve their rankings by playing against a minnow. But pakistan will lost that too, I am afraid. It is a shame that Pakistan playing more ofter against weak teams. Look at India, India played against top teams always.

dummy4fb
on January 21, 2013, 20:48 GMT

Pakistan will lose to Ireland.

Moy_Jeb
on January 21, 2013, 20:28 GMT

Unless Pakistan help themselves by getting their law enforcement force work together to get the stability back in the country, none of the test playing nations will visit them soon or future. Although I would love to see Pakistan competing against all test playing nations in their own soil.

malik-muhammad-basit
on January 21, 2013, 15:44 GMT

good chance for pakistan to give experience to their youngsters .i think pakistan should try their new batsmans a full new team against scotland and ireland their are 4 matches and they can get experience

Tellthetruth
on January 21, 2013, 14:42 GMT

It may be a good news for Irish fans and their cricket but not so much for Pakistan. Something needs to be done to enable Pakistan to stage International cricket at home. And no one can do more to this end than Pakistan themselves. I hope peace and security return to Pakistan soon.

swat1999
on January 21, 2013, 14:13 GMT

This series will be benefit for both nation Pakistan and Ireland, Ireland is a fantastic Limited over side they are highliy potential. They can improve their quality by play with quality side

khurramsch
on January 23, 2013, 18:00 GMT

thats very great. some negitive coments like it will not help pak or if pak lost. or its just for ranking .. i think its good and pak can practise for CT. Plus it will benefit ireland. Icc should not only help by giving cash to small teams but also should get bigger teams to play small teams. during ipl window many big teams can get 6/7 first choice players & play small teams. Pakitan have none in ipl & england hasnt got much. defeat is part of game but need to promote cricket more. its been ages a full member came in .

khurramsch
on January 23, 2013, 17:54 GMT

@fast track bully: mate do you know anything about rankings? when you play smaller teams you may not get much point to improve ranking.

Always_pakistan
on January 23, 2013, 17:27 GMT

Wel said haris abbasi good going

dummy4fb
on January 22, 2013, 8:37 GMT

@ fast track bully
Pakistan may be isolated AT HOME definitely and there is very little we can do about it at the moment from a cricketing point of view But we are making the most of any series against top sides we get even with all the problems we have faced. We drew against australia and south africa, won against england , sri lanka, new zealand in the past 2-3 years.We have also vindicated ourselves in ICC LOI competitions as well and performed admirably considering our problems. In addition we have also faced minnows like india , bangladesh and zimbabwe and thrashed them convincingly as well. So we are doing alright. Your and other likeminded indians concerns are appreciated but really not needed. :)
P.S. We do have an away series against the saffers next week and also have test series against South Africa, west indies, sri lanka and australia coming up in the next 18 months

tvumpire.com
on January 22, 2013, 6:44 GMT

Funny to see Pakistan trying to improve their rankings by playing against a minnow. But pakistan will lost that too, I am afraid. It is a shame that Pakistan playing more ofter against weak teams. Look at India, India played against top teams always.

dummy4fb
on January 21, 2013, 20:48 GMT

Pakistan will lose to Ireland.

Moy_Jeb
on January 21, 2013, 20:28 GMT

Unless Pakistan help themselves by getting their law enforcement force work together to get the stability back in the country, none of the test playing nations will visit them soon or future. Although I would love to see Pakistan competing against all test playing nations in their own soil.

malik-muhammad-basit
on January 21, 2013, 15:44 GMT

good chance for pakistan to give experience to their youngsters .i think pakistan should try their new batsmans a full new team against scotland and ireland their are 4 matches and they can get experience

Tellthetruth
on January 21, 2013, 14:42 GMT

It may be a good news for Irish fans and their cricket but not so much for Pakistan. Something needs to be done to enable Pakistan to stage International cricket at home. And no one can do more to this end than Pakistan themselves. I hope peace and security return to Pakistan soon.

swat1999
on January 21, 2013, 14:13 GMT

This series will be benefit for both nation Pakistan and Ireland, Ireland is a fantastic Limited over side they are highliy potential. They can improve their quality by play with quality side

Farrukh.91.
on January 21, 2013, 14:02 GMT

Talking of Ireland, Pakistan should consider Kevin O Brien and Dockrell, two fine talents, for the upcoming PSL.

Khalid_Masood_Khan
on January 21, 2013, 13:15 GMT

Win against a weak team wouldn't up their moral a lot but defeat will plummet it surely. Pakistan has no choice but to accept whatever is on offer, ostensibly by the same global evil doers who are responsible for much of the pulverization at home.

SkylaDark
on January 21, 2013, 12:16 GMT

Awesome Ireland. Hope you do well, and hoping to look forward to some good cricket from your side. :)

MianNasir
on January 21, 2013, 12:12 GMT

PCB has always shown goodwill for upcoming cricketing nations. ICC needs to come out to rescue Pakistan cricket and support the efforts of Zaka Ashraf for revival of cricket in Pakistan.

dummy4fb
on January 21, 2013, 12:09 GMT

Good all round. Ireland are much better then Bangladesh and Zimbabwe and should be fast streamed by playing the top 8 teams with some regularity. Further, A teams from the top 8 should play Ireland in 4 day games en-route to series in England.

Pakistan should get good practice and Ireland a test against a top 8 side. Ireland cricket has my full support - the fans especially are a delight.

MFNadeem
on January 21, 2013, 12:02 GMT

Pakistan has always helped weaker teams like Bangladesh, Ireland, and Afghanistan (even SL during their turmoil days). In return, Pakistan gets severe dissent from a team like BD, which would be dreaming of playing against Pakistan in normal times.

wrenx
on January 21, 2013, 11:07 GMT

With the rest of the world not inclined to reach out and help Pakistan during their time of need, it's great tot see Pakistan reaching out to help fledgling nations to help develop their cricket. The two teams played an enjoyable little mini-series in 2011 in Belfast (the second ODI was quite competitive) and there are plenty of Pakistan supporters who'll turn out for these games, whichever venue Ireland opt for

AK47_pk
on January 21, 2013, 10:36 GMT

Pakistan is nd has been very supportive to upcoming cricket teams. Wish others support pakistan aswel when pcb is going through a bad patch.

princeofjoy
on January 21, 2013, 10:31 GMT

Good Move By Ireland.Its also help Pak for their Preparation on seaming wicket.Ireland no more as under dogged they can upset Big teams at their own backward ...All the best pak for Champions trophy...

Jadejafan
on January 21, 2013, 10:31 GMT

When did India do such a thing? NEVER!!! but glad that there are other full members that have the desire to take Cricket to other places. This Indian team have still not even invited either Zimbabwe or Bangladesh for a full series. Pakistan Cricket is special.

Jadejafan
on January 21, 2013, 10:29 GMT

This is fantastic! good for the great game of Cricket but why aren't two weaker teams Bangladesh and Zimbabwe not playing them? don't understand why they think they're a top team or something and think they can refuse to play them, they need to play teams like Ireland so that they are getting not only getting plenty of games but good competition, I'm sure Ireland can beat both Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in some games.

QingdaoXI
on January 21, 2013, 10:26 GMT

Time has come to give test status for more teams and divide them into 3 tier.
Tier 1. South Africa, England, Australia, India, Sri lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand
Tier 2. T&T, Guyana, Jamaica, Rest of West Indies Islands, Bangladesh, Ireland, Zimbabwe
Tier 3. Afganistan, Netherlands, Scotland, Kenya, U.A.E, Nepal , Nambia
keep promotion and relegation system after every 3 years. As there are 7 teams they can complete a cycle of home and away in 3 years by playing 4 series every year. It will really help to develop the cricket all over the world, no series should be more than 3 tests. So every year each team can get chance to play 12 tests.

davidatlas999
on January 21, 2013, 10:25 GMT

great to see pakistan wanna play these team we know others dont wanna helpe them.so am so happy for them and congrats pcb you are doing a very good job we all know we have some extra time cause we are not playing test series with india so pcb making that time valueable.
All i want some more test matches vs NZ,SA,WI,and CA.We are playing less test right now.

No featured comments at the moment.

davidatlas999
on January 21, 2013, 10:25 GMT

great to see pakistan wanna play these team we know others dont wanna helpe them.so am so happy for them and congrats pcb you are doing a very good job we all know we have some extra time cause we are not playing test series with india so pcb making that time valueable.
All i want some more test matches vs NZ,SA,WI,and CA.We are playing less test right now.

QingdaoXI
on January 21, 2013, 10:26 GMT

Time has come to give test status for more teams and divide them into 3 tier.
Tier 1. South Africa, England, Australia, India, Sri lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand
Tier 2. T&T, Guyana, Jamaica, Rest of West Indies Islands, Bangladesh, Ireland, Zimbabwe
Tier 3. Afganistan, Netherlands, Scotland, Kenya, U.A.E, Nepal , Nambia
keep promotion and relegation system after every 3 years. As there are 7 teams they can complete a cycle of home and away in 3 years by playing 4 series every year. It will really help to develop the cricket all over the world, no series should be more than 3 tests. So every year each team can get chance to play 12 tests.

Jadejafan
on January 21, 2013, 10:29 GMT

This is fantastic! good for the great game of Cricket but why aren't two weaker teams Bangladesh and Zimbabwe not playing them? don't understand why they think they're a top team or something and think they can refuse to play them, they need to play teams like Ireland so that they are getting not only getting plenty of games but good competition, I'm sure Ireland can beat both Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in some games.

Jadejafan
on January 21, 2013, 10:31 GMT

When did India do such a thing? NEVER!!! but glad that there are other full members that have the desire to take Cricket to other places. This Indian team have still not even invited either Zimbabwe or Bangladesh for a full series. Pakistan Cricket is special.

princeofjoy
on January 21, 2013, 10:31 GMT

Good Move By Ireland.Its also help Pak for their Preparation on seaming wicket.Ireland no more as under dogged they can upset Big teams at their own backward ...All the best pak for Champions trophy...

AK47_pk
on January 21, 2013, 10:36 GMT

Pakistan is nd has been very supportive to upcoming cricket teams. Wish others support pakistan aswel when pcb is going through a bad patch.

wrenx
on January 21, 2013, 11:07 GMT

With the rest of the world not inclined to reach out and help Pakistan during their time of need, it's great tot see Pakistan reaching out to help fledgling nations to help develop their cricket. The two teams played an enjoyable little mini-series in 2011 in Belfast (the second ODI was quite competitive) and there are plenty of Pakistan supporters who'll turn out for these games, whichever venue Ireland opt for

MFNadeem
on January 21, 2013, 12:02 GMT

Pakistan has always helped weaker teams like Bangladesh, Ireland, and Afghanistan (even SL during their turmoil days). In return, Pakistan gets severe dissent from a team like BD, which would be dreaming of playing against Pakistan in normal times.

dummy4fb
on January 21, 2013, 12:09 GMT

Good all round. Ireland are much better then Bangladesh and Zimbabwe and should be fast streamed by playing the top 8 teams with some regularity. Further, A teams from the top 8 should play Ireland in 4 day games en-route to series in England.

Pakistan should get good practice and Ireland a test against a top 8 side. Ireland cricket has my full support - the fans especially are a delight.

MianNasir
on January 21, 2013, 12:12 GMT

PCB has always shown goodwill for upcoming cricketing nations. ICC needs to come out to rescue Pakistan cricket and support the efforts of Zaka Ashraf for revival of cricket in Pakistan.